URBANWATERS FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP Restoring Urban Waters, Revitalizing Communities Anacostia Watershed Urban Waters Partnership 2020-2021 Work Plan The Urban Waters Partnership in the Anacostia River Watershed is a "partnership of partnerships" that connects Federal agency partners to community-based projects that fill gaps between the several overlapping existing networks and coalitions working to restore the watershed. To do this, the Ambassador and the UWP will: • Host a spring summit gathering of aN watershed partners to evaluate progress across partnerships, identify opportunity areas for collaboration, and work toward a shared vision for the watershed; • Host a fall gathering of Federal agencies and potential community partners to check in on project teams and identify new potential projects; • Convene ad-hoc working groups on specific efforts throughout the year; • Share information and updates through the Ambassador's monthly newsletter and the EPA's Urban Waters website. The Anacostia UWP was initially formed after several other restoration-focused partnerships already existed in this watershed. Since then, yet more coalitions and committees with similar missions have been created, many of which include Federal agencies on their rosters. To reduce redundancy and increase coordination between the many government and community partners working to improve the Anacostia watershed, the UWP will serve as a bridge between these existing networks. Project-based Working Groups Advances community-based projects that fill gaps between other efforts. ------- URBANWATERS FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP Restoring Urban Waters, Revitaiizing Communities To assist in the sharing of information, the UWP Ambassador will participate in each of these existing partnerships throughout the year. The UWP will then convene twice annually, once in an all-partner UWP conference to evaluate shared progress over the past year and identify new shared priorities or emerging issues, and later in a check-in meeting to hear from new potential community-based partners about new potential projects. The Ambassador will also convene periodic check up meetings to track priority project identification and implementation. Meeting Frequency Jan -Dec Annual Conference Mid-year check-in Steering Comittee Management Comittee Community Advisory Comittee Steering Comittee Meetings Membership Meetings Working Groups Meetings Quarterly Meetings Toxics Source Working Group Consultative Working Group Other networks DC Silver Jackets Capital Trails Coalition * This is an illustrative demonstration of planned meeting frequency, not a calendar of actual events 2020-2021 Work Plan The UWP Work Plan is an annually-revised project-based work plan for Federal and community partners. Each work plan will run from May through the following April, following the schedule of the Ambassador program work plan set by the Department of Energy and Environment, EPA and NPS. Projects will be selected by UWP partners at the annual meeting and/or throughout the year. In order to qualify as an UWP project, an effort must include at least two Federal agencies and at least one community partner. ------- URBANWATERS FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP Restoring Urban Waters, Revitalizing Communities TASK LEAD TIMELINE Update web presence for the Anacostia UWP that clarifies its role and informs people how to participate. Ambassador, Clean Water Fund, EPA Q2 2020 Identify potential community projects that could benefit from Federal participation. Ambassador, Clean Water Fund, DOEE Q2 2020 Host a virtual partner meeting to discuss work plan and identify potential projects. Ambassador, Clean Water Fund, DOEE, EPA, Others Q3 2020 Track and help implement specific priority projects identified by community and Federal partners. Ambassador Q3 2020 - Q2 2021 Meet at an annual, in-person all-partner conference (TENTATIVE) DOEE, Ambassador, Clean Water Fund, EPA, other partners Q2 2021 Potential Community-based Projects in need of Federal Collaboration Kayak-Share Program Community members have called for increased access to canoe and kayak rentals and launch points along the river, and suggested that the Anacostia River could be home to a project inspired by bike-share programs around the country and by the Paddle Share program launched by a partnership with the National Park Service in Saint Paul and Minneapolis, MN. Kingman Island, managed by Living Classrooms and the District Department of Energy and Environment, could be a location to pilot the program, followed by additional locations at other District and Federally-owned sites. Previous paddle-share inspired events (e.g. 2018's "Pedal Paddle Palooza" hosted by the Anacostia Watershed Society, Anacostia Riverkeeper, Washington Area Bicyclist Association and Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments) have been very well received. Federal agencies could provide planning, technical assistance and other resources. Anacostia River Swimming An Anacostia River Pool feasibility study was launched by the Anacostia Waterfront Trust in 2018, and a collaborative Anacostia River Swimming initiative is now managed on a volunteer ------- URBANWATERS FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP Restoring Ufbun Waters, Revitalizing Communities basis by the UWP Ambassador. Initially this collaboration focused on analyzing the possibility of creating a swimming facility in the river as water quality improved. The effort now includes Clean Water Fund, Anacostia Riverkeeper, and SmithGroup and is informed by input from the National Park Service and the District of Columbia's Department of Energy and Environment. As Riverkeeper continues to monitor water quality in the river and results point to an increasingly swimmable river, the team is exploring what "swimming" could look like in the Anacostia River, ranging from "natural" swimming holes, constructed floating structures, beachfronts, wading areas, and more. This project is gaining momentum and importance as an increasing number of swimmers have been recorded in the river during the COVID-19 pandemic while public pools are closed. Additionally, access to safe swimming in natural environments has long been divided by race in America. Federal agencies could support this project with technical assistance in design, engineering and planning studies to explore where and how a swimming or wading facility would be possible, dovetailing with planning efforts by the National Park Service and Department of Energy and Environment that will include proposals for modifying the river's edge. Federal agencies could also help to expand efforts to improve or educate people about water quality using physical indicators and online data to reduce health impacts of swimming when bacteria levels are high; provide materials and technical assistance for community engagement around swimming, safety and water quality; or support the effort in other ways. Kenilworth Park North Planning, Analysis and Engagement The National Park Service is nearing the release of a Proposed Plan to restore the Kenilworth Landfill, after which "Kenilworth Park North" will be transferred to the District of Columbia. Numerous advocates and neighbors are interested in the future of this site, and Federal agencies could support an inter-agency, Federal and local effort to explore what might be possible on the site; provide technical assistance to explore possibilities for the site in partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation, likely future manager of the park; pursue a health impact assessment for potential improvements; or provide other support. Improvements to Kingman Island The Friends of Kingman and Heritage Islands is a community organization that works closely with Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region and the Department of Energy and Environment to improve Kingman and Heritage Islands located in the middle of the river in the District's Ward 7. Federal agencies could assist these groups with identifying and pursuing resources to improve the ecosystem of the island, including habitat creation, invasive species removal, urban agriculture, improved outdoor classrooms, green workforce development, urban silviculture (wood reuse), and/or education and programming. DOEE is currently seeking resources to construct an enhanced paddle access point and canoe/kayak storage facility. Improvements to Anacostia Park The National Park Service is launching a planning process for improvements to the central portion of Anacostia Park along the Anacostia River. The Urban Waters Partnership could ------- URBANWATERS FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP Restoring Ufbun Waters, Revitalizing Communities support some portion of the plan and/or its implementation, potentially in partnership with the soon-to-be-formed non-profit "Friends Group" partner of Anacostia Park. Building from the Equitable Development Planning Efforts of the 11th Street Bridge Park The 11th Street Bridge Park has established an internationally relevant precedent for connecting public space and infrastructure projects to planning and preparation for equitable development. As parks are improved and natural amenities are restored, nearby and values can increase and displace low-income residents, often people of color. To avoid this negative potential impact associated with their ambitious park project, the 11th Street Bridge Park created an Equitable Development Plan (EDP) and they have taken numerous steps to implement its strategies, launching home-buyer clubs, land trusts and more. The Urban Waters Partnership could assist in expanding this kind of planning and community development practice to other geographic areas along the Anacostia River that may similarly face displacement and disruption due to improvements in water quality and park spaces. Background: Anacostia UWP Members Membership in the Anacostia UWP includes the 15 Federal agency participants in the nationwide Urban Waters program as well as members of all of the existing partnerships in the watershed, including: The Anacostia Watershed Restoration Partnership Founded by a resolution of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) in 2006, the AWRP has quantified restoration goals for the river, developed measurements of progress, and coordinated restoration and planning activities. The AWRP includes a steering committee consisting of 14 state and federal agencies as well as nonprofit organizations; a management committee consisting of 14 agencies, nonprofit organizations and educational institutions; and a community advisory committee with over 30 members representing local community-based organizations working within the Anacostia Watershed. Each of these bodies meets quarterly. The MWCOG has previously employed an Anacostia Executive Watershed Manager to coordinate the AWRP, and additional MWCOG staff provide technical assistance. The Anacostia Ambassador is a Steering Committee member and attends the AWCAC meetings. Mayor Muriel Bowser's Leadership Council for a Cleaner Anacostia River Formed in 2014, the Council is a District government forum that provides updates to and shares data and best practices among high-level local, state, and federal government officials and environmental leaders on the remedial investigation and cleanup of toxics in the Anacostia River. Former DC Mayor Anthony Williams and current DOEE Director Tommy Wells co-chair the Council, which meets quarterly. Many members of the Leadership Council are also members of ------- URBANWATERS FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP Restoring Ufbun Waters, Revitalizing Communities the AWRP Steering Committee. The Anacostia Ambassador participates in these meetings and works closely with DOEE's Anacostia Coordinator. Anacostia Park and Community Collaborative The Anacostia Park and Community Collaborative is a network of 31 community-based and citywide nonprofits organizations committed to maximizing the value of public spaces along the Anacostia River to residents of Ward 7 and 8 in the District of Columbia. This group has intentionally focused on bringing together both environmentally focused organizations with community organizations based in District neighborhoods near the river. Member organizations meet regularly in working groups and other committees to coordinate programming efforts, achieve shared advocacy goals and complete projects. The Collaborative is also currently working to build a community-based vision for the Anacostia River Corridor. The Anacostia Ambassador is a member of the Collaborative and helps to connect the membership to District and Federal agency staff and projects. DOEE Watershed Partner Meetings The District Department of Energy and Environment recently launched a new watershed partner meeting initiative, inviting over 250 individuals from nonprofit organizations and government agencies to discuss efforts to restore the Anacostia River. This is intended to be a biannual gathering. The Ambassador has not been involved in the planning for this gathering. The first meeting is scheduled for September 26, 2019. Other networks There are other networks, coalitions and working groups that bring additional partners together in the watershed around specific efforts or topics, including the DC Silver Jackets which includes state and Federal agencies focused on flood mitigation, the Toxics Source Working Group that includes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Geological Survey, the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees meetings coordinated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Capital Trails Coalition that includes agencies and organizations from around the region, and more. ------- |